India’s emerging shooting stars delivered a spectacular performance on the opening day of the Junior World Cup at the Dr. Karni Singh Range in Tughlakabad. The host nation secured an impressive five out of six available medals in the 50-metre rifle prone events, setting a formidable tone for the competition.
Anshika, a triumphant Anushka Thokur, and Aadhya Agrawal proudly display their rifle prone medals at the Junior World Cup in Delhi.
Anushka Thokur spearheaded India’s golden charge, clinching the top spot in the junior women’s 50m rifle prone event. Her remarkable achievement was part of a clean sweep for India in this category, with teammates Anshika and Aadhya Agrawal joining her on the podium to secure all three medals.
Indian medallists Deependra Shekhawat (left) and Rohit Kanyan (right) stand alongside gold winner Kamil Nuriakhmetov (center) in the junior men’s prone at the Delhi Junior World Cup.
In the junior men’s prone event, while Kamil Nuriakhmetov, an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN), secured the gold, India still showcased strength by claiming two medals. Deependra Shekhawat earned a hard-fought silver, just one point behind the winner with a score of 617.9. Rohit Kanyan added to India’s medal tally with a bronze, securing his spot after a tie-breaking count-back against Sergei Novoselov (AIN).
Anushka Thokur’s winning score of 621.6 was particularly impressive, surpassing all junior men’s scores in their smaller field. This victory marks a significant progression for Anushka, who had placed sixth in the prone event at the previous Junior World Cup in Suhl. Her current success follows her challenging rifle 3-position junior gold win at the recent Asian championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, underscoring her rising talent.
The competition is set to continue tomorrow with the highly anticipated air pistol events, an Olympic discipline, where more thrilling contests and medal aspirations are expected.
Detailed Results – 50m Rifle Prone:
Junior Men:
- Kamil Nuriakhmetov (AIN) – 618.9
- Deependra Shekhawat (IND) – 617.9
- Rohit Kanyan (IND) – 616.3
- Vedant Waghmare (IND) – 615.6 (5th place)
- Kushagra Rajawat (IND) – 611.6 (8th place)
- Kunal Sharma (IND) – 590.9 (11th place)
Junior Women:
- Anushka Thokur (IND) – 621.6
- Anshika (IND) – 619.2
- Aadhya Agrawal (IND) – 615.9
- Saniya Sapale (IND) – 610.9 (8th place)
- Nirmat Kaur Brar (IND) – 604.3 (9th place)